John Keith Leasure was born in Sidell, Illinois,
on November 2, 1920. He earned an M.S. degree from Michigan State University
and a B.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. During his professional
career he taught in the Agronomy Department at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville;
served as director of Herbicide Research at Dow Chemical Co., Midland,
Michigan; and was professor and chair of the Plant Industries Department
at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois.

During World War II, he served aboard the submarine
USS Rock (SS 274) in the Pacific. He retired as captain in the U.S. Navy
and continued to serve in the Submarine Service in the Ready Reserves.

He was a Master Mason for more than 50 years
as a member of Broadlands Lodge No. 791 in Illinois.